Summary of The Ben Shapiro Show - Episode 2098: "A SHOCKING Assassination"
In Episode 2098 of The Ben Shapiro Show, released on December 5, 2024, Ben Shapiro delves into a series of high-profile incidents and political controversies, focusing primarily on the assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance arm. Shapiro offers a critical analysis of the left's response to these events, examines broader issues within law enforcement and governance, and discusses significant political maneuvers both in the United States and internationally.
1. Assassination of Brian Thompson
Incident Overview: On Wednesday morning, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance division, was fatally shot outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan at approximately 6:45 AM. Shapiro describes the attack as a "targeted assault," emphasizing its premeditated nature. Police reports confirm the presence of video evidence capturing the shooter multiple times firing at Thompson.
Details from Authorities: Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided insights into the incident, stating, "This does not appear to be a random act of violence" (01:19). She highlighted that Thompson was in New York City for an investor conference and that the suspect had been lying in wait, executing the attack with precision.
Shapiro’s Analysis: Shapiro elaborates on the professionalism of the attack, noting, "This was somebody who knew what they were doing, at least on a very basic level" (01:55). He underscores the failure of New York City's governance and law enforcement in preventing such violent acts, linking it to broader systemic issues.
2. Left-Wing Response and Criticism
Anthony Zenkas’s Reaction: Shapiro criticizes Anthony Zenkas, a Columbia professor who labeled Thompson's assassination as a consequence of the broader problems within the American healthcare system. Zenkas tweeted, "Today we mourn the death of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company executives like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires" (04:16). Shapiro condemns this viewpoint as a "dramatic lack of understanding of not only markets but of morality."
Taylor Lorenz’s Commentary: Shapiro also targets Taylor Lorenz, a former Washington Post reporter, mocking her for misusing the term "raw dogging" in relation to public health behaviors. He states, "This person... clearly has a mental illness" (05:35), highlighting what he perceives as flawed narratives propagated by left-wing media personalities.
Broader Leftist Ideology: Shapiro argues that the far-left holds a belief system where individuals within undesirable systems deserve harm, thereby presenting a Venn diagram overlap between supporters of leftist ideologies and extremist groups like Hamas. He asserts, "For the left, it is all about the central moral principle. It is not about a utilitarian calculus" (25:10).
3. Critique of New York’s Governance and Comparisons
Daniel Penney Case: Drawing parallels between Thompson's assassination and the Daniel Penney case, where Penney was charged for the death of Jordan Neely after intervening in a violent incident, Shapiro criticizes New York City's prosecution approach. He highlights the inconsistency in sentencing, noting, "This is another reason why violence is being propagated to an extraordinary extent in New York City these days" (05:35).
Prosecutor’s Stance: Prosecutor Daphna Yoran explains, "The more I learned about the defendant... that one should take into account the trauma of that individual" (04:16), which Shapiro interprets as undue leniency influenced by left-wing sympathies.
4. Health Insurance System and Leftist Critique
Shapiro dismantles the left's critique of the American healthcare system, arguing that the backlash against companies like UnitedHealth ignores systemic issues. He states, "The system works how the system works and you can talk about changes to the system" (09:25). Shapiro emphasizes that criticizing insurance executives overlooks the government's significant role in healthcare, likening it to blaming Ralph for bread prices in a market-determined scenario.
5. Nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
Controversies Surrounding Hegseth: Shapiro discusses the media's anonymous allegations against Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has publicly defended himself, stating, "I've been through a lot... The press is peddling anonymous story after anonymous story" (39:54). Shapiro criticizes the lack of concrete evidence supporting these claims, asserting that unverified accusations no longer sway public opinion as they did in the past.
Support within GOP: Despite the controversies, Shapiro notes strong backing for Hegseth within GOP circles, describing his potential to "completely revitalize the Department of Defense" (39:00). He predicts that without substantial evidence, the media's strategy will fail to derail Hegseth's nomination.
6. International Political Developments
France’s Government Collapse: Shapiro briefly touches upon the political turmoil in France, where President Emmanuel Macron's government has fallen after a no-confidence vote. He critiques Macron’s alliance choices and the rise of Marine Le Pen's National Rally, suggesting that the collapse is a result of Macron's inability to balance political factions. Shapiro highlights the broader trend of labeling right-wing parties as "far right" across Europe, regardless of their actual policies.
7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Shapiro concludes by reiterating his concerns over left-wing ideologies influencing law enforcement and political processes. He underscores the importance of maintaining moral and utilitarian standards in governance, warning against the power dynamics that prioritize ideological conformity over justice and fairness.
Notable Quotes:
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Jessica Tisch on the Assassination: “This does not appear to be a random act of violence.” (01:19)
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Anthony Zenkas’s Tweet: “Today we mourn the death of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company executives like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires.” (04:16)
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Tommy Veter on Hunter Biden’s Pardon: “Is Hunter the only one getting saved here?” (25:10)
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Pete Hegseth: “The press is peddling anonymous story after anonymous story, all meant to smear me and take me down.” (39:54)
Timestamp Key:
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01:19: Jessica Tisch elaborates on the premeditated nature of Thompson’s assassination.
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04:16: Introduction of Anthony Zenkas’s critical tweet and Prosecutor Daphna Yoran’s statement.
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05:35: Discussion on the Daniel Penney case and its implications.
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09:25: Shapiro’s critique of the healthcare system and leftist narratives.
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25:10: Analysis of left-wing ideology and its impact on political and legal systems.
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31:14: Details on the Supreme Court hearing regarding transgender treatments.
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39:00: Overview of Pete Hegseth’s defense against media allegations.
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39:54: Pete Hegseth’s op-ed excerpt defending himself.
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40:49: Shapiro’s remarks on the ongoing nomination process for Hegseth.
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42:16: Final thoughts on Pete Hegseth’s nomination and GOP dynamics.
This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show presents a critical examination of recent violent and political events, highlighting perceived failures in governance, media bias, and ideological conflicts within American politics. Shapiro's analysis underscores his conservative viewpoints, particularly in defense of law enforcement actions and skepticism toward left-wing critiques of corporate entities like UnitedHealth.